Strange ‘flashes of light’ in sky confirmed as Army training exercises

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Strange ‘flashes of light’ in sky confirmed as Army training exercises

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. — Numerous flashes of light in the sky reported early Thursday morning were caused by U.S. Army Special Forces training near the Guilford and Randolph County line.

Many reported seeing bright flashes of light between 1 and 4 a.m. Thursday. The flashes were described as a large, golden-yellowish bursts of light in a sphere shape. Some described it as a cross between lightning and a flashing cell tower. One FOX8 employee saw the flash of light 4-5 times between 2:30 and 3 a.m.

On Friday, a spokesman for the Fort Bragg Public Affairs Team confirmed the flashes of light were “most likely from U.S. Army Special Forces training related to Robin Sage.”

The spokesman added the training has “pretty much wrapped up.”

Robin Sage is a two-week exercise that runs eight times a year, once for each class of Special Forces candidates. Students participate in the exercise before graduating the course and moving on to their first assignments in the Army’s Special Forces community.

For more than 40 years, Robin Sage has been the litmus test for Soldiers striving to earn the coveted Green Beret. It is during Robin Sage, held in 15 rural North Carolina counties, that soldiers must put all of the skills they have learned in an unconventional-warfare training exercise.

“All Robin Sage movements and events have been coordinated with public safety officials throughout and within the towns and counties hosting the training. Residents may hear blank gunfire and see occasional flares. Controls are in place to ensure there is no risk to persons or property. Residents with concerns should contact local law enforcement officials, who will immediately contact exercise control officials.”